Detrimental activation of STAT3 has been directly linked to the loss of muscle mass in several models of muscle wasting, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cancer cachexia29, 30 whereas genetic or pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 ameliorates muscle wasting in mice.31, 32, 33. Here, STAT3 is linked to Duchenne muscular dystrophy.